In all candor, it's getting harder to have confidence in Jimmy Haslam

On April 16, the day after his family's company, Pilot Flying J, was raided by federal authorities, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said the investigation is focused on “a very insignificant number” of trucking companies that claim they are owed rebates that weren't paid.

Last Friday, Haslam again met with the media in Knoxville, Tenn., and said, “Candidly, I haven't done anything wrong." (In case you haven't noticed, Haslam, to be candid, is a big fan of the word “candidly.”)That same day, Haslam said the government's investigation was centered on “a very small percentage of our diesel fuel business.”

Yesterday, Haslam was back in front of a microphone, only this time he was “embarrassed” by the allegations in the federal affidavit, which included conversations with Pilot Flying J employees that were secretly recorded by an informant.Haslam said several sales employees were placed on administrative leave, and his company will conduct an internal audit to see if any trucking companies were overcharged. A compliance officer will be hired, as will a special outside investigator, and, make no mistake, Flying J has “respect for our people.”In the span of seven days, Haslam went from defiant to slightly defeated.He continues to acknowledge no wrongdoing, he continues to attempt to sound upbeat — he even said last Friday was “a really good sales day” — and he continues to overuse “candidly.”But the message, even if it's not stated loudly, is clear: This is a huge mess, and several people will go down for this, even if Haslam doesn't believe he is one of them.

There are many pieces of this seemingly shady puzzle that are disturbing, but two that stand out are Haslam's insistence that the investigation revolved around “a very small percentage” of customers, a number that was “very insignificant.”Let's assume — even if it seems highly unlikely — that Atlantic Coast Carriers and W.N. Morehouse Trucking Line are the only two Flying J trucking customers who have been affected by the alleged rebate fraud.Atlantic Coast Carriers, a small company in Hazlehurst, Ga., failed a class-action lawsuit Saturday against Flying J, and an attorney for Atlantic Coast told The Plain Dealer the company lost more than $100,000.W.N. Morehouse of Omaha, Neb., was included in the affidavit, which claimed the company was out almost $150,000 because of the alleged scam.Atlantic Coast Carriers has said it expects more companies to join the lawsuit. But even if none do, which seems extremely unlikely, there would be two small companies that say Pilot Flying J shorted them a combined $250,000 in rebates they were owed.Candidly, that's anything but “insignificant.”Haslam might still be the honorable, confident, smooth face of the Browns many of us thought we were getting when he agreed to purchase the team from Randy Lerner.Until this mess is resolved, though, he should focus all of his efforts on cleaning up the family business, and leave the Browns to Joe Banner.Candidly, Jimmy, it's time to step away from your team for at least a couple of months.

ACC schools are now off-limits

The Atlantic Coast Conference has followed the Big Ten's lead, which means Florida State is no longer a target of the latter.

ACC presidents on Monday approved a grant of media rights through 2027. The deal makes it almost impossible financially for an ACC university to leave for another conference. If a school such as Florida State tries to leave for the Big Ten or another conference, the university's media rights, including revenue from all home games, would go to the ACC for the next 14 years.In a statement, FSU president Eric J. Barron said the Seminoles “will be moving forward” with the ACC.The Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big 12 also have a grant of rights. The Southeastern Conference is the only “power five” league that doesn't.Maryland and Rutgers will join the Big Ten in 2014, giving the league 14 members. In December, Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said having 14 teams “is clumsy”, and it's believed the Big Ten would like to expand to 16 schools.In recent months, two ACC heavyweights — Florida State and North Carolina — had been mentioned as possible targets of the Big Ten.Or commissioner Jim Delany could just move the conference to Division III.

Boston strong

The Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati marathons are joining forces to support victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.Race directors for the three May events announced on Monday that they will purchase blue wristbands inscribed with “Boston Strong.” The three marathons will then allow those in attendance on race day to donate any amount they choose for the wristbands. All of the proceeds will go to One Fund Boston, which is raising money for the families most affected by the bombings.The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will be held May 19.You can follow me on Twitter for sports information, analysis and more candid commentary.

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